Australia, Iran advance to FIBA Asia Cup quarterfinals
JEDDAH: At the final day of the group phase games, the reigning two-time champions Australia and Iran claimed the top spot with a perfect 3-0 record to directly advance to the quarterfinals.
South Korea Sport News
Son Heung-min makes instant impact in LAFC debut
CHICAGO: South Korea star Son Heung-min made his Major League Soccer debut for Los Angeles FC Saturday, providing a burst of energy as a second-half substitute in a 2-2 draw with the Fire in Chicago. Son drew a penalty in the 77th minute that new teammate Denis Bouanga converted to clinch the draw in the 81st minute — VAR confirming the spot kick after the referee initially let play continue. “Obviously it was definitely contact and it was definitely a penalty, I have no doubt about it,” said Son, who was sent sprawling in the area by Carlos Teran after getting loose on a breakaway. “And, yeah, we tied the game, but I think we should have won this game (so) a little bit disappointed.” In addition to drawing the penalty, Son had three shots on goal — all saved with relative ease by Fire keeper Chris Brady. Son signed with LAFC on Wednesday for a reported MLS record $26 million transfer fee after a decade with Tottenham in the Premier League — where he became a household name. The South Korea captain had announced just the previous Saturday in his homeland that he would be leaving Spurs. He departed as Tottenham’s fifth-highest goalscorer of all time with 173 goals in 454 appearances. Son’s first chance to play in front of home fans in Los Angeles will come against Western Conference leaders San Diego on August 31. But plenty of his jerseys, South Korean flags and signs welcoming him to MLS were dotted around the Fire’s SeatGeek Stadium and cheers greeted his entry in place of David Martinez in the 61st minute with the teams level at 1-1 Jonathan Bamba put Chicago up 2-1 in the 70th minute.
Eddie Howe admits he won’t have final say on Alexander Isak future at Newcastle
Eddie Howe has admitted he will not have the final say over striker Alexander Isak’s future at Newcastle.
Qatar, Lebanon and Syria suffer losses, Iran defeats Japan at FIBA Asia Cup
JEDDAH: The fourth day of the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 basketball championship in Jeddah ended with the Qatari, Lebanese and Syrian teams losing to the South Korean, Australian and Guam teams.
Lewandowski a doubt for Barca’s season opener after thigh issue
BARCELONA: Barcelona striker Robert Lewandowski has suffered a hamstring injury and may miss the start of the La Liga season, the Catalan club announced on Friday. “The first team player Robert Lewandowski has a hamstring problem in his left thigh,” Barcelona said in a statement, without specifying how long the Polish striker would be out of action. The 36-year-old is “unavailable” for Sunday’s friendly match against Como, which casts doubt on his presence in the matchday squad for Barcelona’s La Liga opener against Mallorca on August 16. Lewandowski netted 42 times in 52 appearances in all competitions for the Catalan club last season as Hansi Flick’s side won the Spanish league, cup and super cup.
Liverpool’s Alexis Mac Allister in contention for Crystal Palace match after recovering from injury
LIVERPOOL: Alexis Mac Allister will be in Liverpool’s squad for Sunday’s Community Shield match against Crystal Palace. The Argentina international missed some of Liverpool’s preseason preparations when recovering from injury. But he played in the last two friendlies against Yokohama F.
PSG to sign Lille goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier: source
PARIS: European champions Paris Saint-Germain have reached agreement with Lille to sign highly-rated goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier, a source close to the negotiations told AFP on Friday. The move is likely to pose questions over the future of Italian international ‘keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma at PSG. Donnarumma, who was outstanding in PSG’s 5-0 demolition of Inter Milan in the Champions League final in May, is in the final year of his contract and would likely interest Premier League clubs. Chevalier, 23, will sign a five-year contract and command a fee of around 40 million euros ($46.5 million). He was nominated on Thursday for this year’s men’s Yashin Trophy for best goalkeeper at the Ballon d’Or gala after exceptional performances in Ligue 1 and the Champions League last season. Lille finished fifth in Ligue 1 last season and qualified for the Europa League.
UAE national jiu-jitsu team in China for 2025 World Games
ABU DHABI: The UAE national jiu-jitsu team landed in China on Thursday to take part in the 2025 World Games, hosted in Chengdu from Aug. 7-17.